It is impossible to be an entrepreneur without a “passion for entrepreneurship”
A lot of events were held during the GEW. One of the most outstanding events was a round table for the discussion of entrepreneurship and entrepreneur’s image in Belarus.
The round table participants discussed definitions of an entrepreneur and entrepreneurship in Belarus in view of it’s historical background, present-day adjustments, foreign influence and patriotic priorities. They expressed their opinions on the degree of entrepreneurship in the national character and the factors required for its development and also for attracting educated, dedicated youth to business.
Mrs. Natalia Shappo, the Chairperson of the Public Association “Center for Youth Entrepreneurship Support and Development” mentioned that a “businessman” and an “entrepreneur” are two different words. Who is more important for the development of our country? According to her, we need entrepreneurs – the people who would bring along innovations, who would create new jobs and lead the way for others.
Mrs. Harriet Russell, a private business advisor from the Cleveland Growth Association, USA, said, that “an entrepreneur can create something new and useful, when he is occupied with things he is passionate about, not when he has to get busy with them. I would personally never have become a business person just to get rich. I am a business woman, first of all because I am passionate about it. Therefore, I believe, it is crucial to attain a certain balance between your passion and dreams. You, certainly also need education and a practical approach to business, as well as personal professional experience. Then a business person can be proud of what he is doing, he can engage his own resources, as well as the resources that belong to his colleagues in business”.
Mr. Andrey Zhishkevich, Head of the Board of MTBank CJSC, has his own opinion: “You can say, that it is everyone’s obligation to do something to help the entrepreneurial spirit win in Belarus. Personally, I would want my two sons, who are small now, to become entrepreneurs in the future. They do not have to become businessmen, but, for certain – people who change the world. I definitely hope that, when they grow up, they would live in Belarus and they will not wish to leave it. So, I see my objective as raising them with this spirit. That will be my contribution to the victory of the entrepreneurial spirit in this country.
“No matter, how critical we get in assessing our environment, it is very possible to be an entrepreneur in the country, and there are plenty of examples of that”, – said Mr. Anatoly Trukhanovich, Chairman of the Belarusian Union of Taxpayers, “I believe, that business is an intellectual activity, first of all. And I am very happy to see the higher school representatives discussing this issue. According to the statistics, successful researchers are generally successful in business. They are active, self-motivated, they put their assets at stake and make profits – primarily for themselves (which is nothing to be ashamed about it), and for the nation as well. I would also want our country to recognize people who create added value as the most important people. Then all our problems will be solved. I am often asked how one can become a big business person. I tell them that you have to learn to be compassionate about the big things – about your country, your children, and school. Once you allow everything going on in the country go through you – you are sure to become an entrepreneur and be successful in business”.
